Psychosocial functioning of drug treatment court clients: A study of the prosecutor's files in Ghent, Belgium. Issue 3 (19th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wittouck, Ciska; Dekkers, Anne; Vanderplasschen, Wouter; Vander Laenen, Freya
• Editors: Pearce, Steve; Freestone, Mark
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic communities. Volume 35:Issue 3(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-08-19
• Subjects: Therapeutic communities -- Periodicals; 616.8914
• DOI: 10.1108/TC-02-2014-0005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-1866

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Problem solving courts are a result of the therapeutic jurisprudence movement. Drug treatment courts (DTCs), for instance, aim to divert substance using offenders away from the criminal justice system to (drug) treatment services. DTCs are associated with reduced criminal offending and substance use. Psychosocial outcomes of DTCs, such as employment, health and family relations, received only little attention. Design/methodology/approach: This article focuses on the outcomes regarding substance use and psychosocial variables of a Belgian DTC situated in the Ghent region, which were investigated by a naturalistic evaluation study with a pre-post-design using judicial files. Findings: The results show that Ghent DTC clients were diverted to drug treatment and financial counseling services. Next the Ghent DTC produced beneficial outcomes regarding employment. Contrary to criminal offending (De Keulenaer & Thomaes, 2013), substance use was not significantly reduced in the Ghent DTC sample. Yet more compliance with OMT was observed. Information on more client centered outcomes such as health and social relations was lacking, precluding a full outcome measurement of psychosocial variables. Research limitations/implications: Future DTC studies should address more client centered outcomes by gathering information through DTC clients and treatment services instead of solely relying on judicial data sources. In addition, DTCs should develop a clear and uniform registration system regarding these outcomes. Originality/value: Since the therapeutic jurisprudence movement continues to expand, discussion regarding the roles and tasks of the criminal justice system as well as treatment and counseling services is vital. Each actor should maintain its own role and task, regarding monitoring and substantive work, to insure a 'problem solving approach' that is in line with the recovery philosophy.